When Howard University Director of Swimming and Diving Nic Askew came up with the idea of Battle at the Burr (BATB), few could have believed that it would quickly turn into a major event in the HBCU swimming community. However, the third annual BATB on Saturday, Oct. 5 turned out to be a big splash — pun intended.
The event took place at Howard’s Burr Gymnasium pool before an enthusiastic and sold-out audience.
The Howard men’s and women’s teams battled Georgetown in their annual dual meet. Alums from both institutions were seen in attendance, wearing their respective school’s apparel. Then, there were the students and supporters, along with young swimming enthusiasts.
As for the meet, Howard swimming and diving teams came up short, 117-107 on the men’s side while falling 133-90 on the women’s end. However, the event was about more than just scores.
The much-anticipated event between Howard and Georgetown University has become so popular that there were accommodations created for the overflow crowd. Thus, a watch party was held in the main gymnasium with a big screen for those unable to get in the pool seating area.
Even celebrities, including Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Fame member Rowdy Gaines and Simone Manual, a three-time gold medalist, were present to take in the action at this year’s BATB.
This is all part of the growth of Howard’s Swimming and Diving program, which is the only one among all historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Howard has received national publicity for its success, including the cover of Sports Illustrated.
“HBCUs historically have been a gathering place for Black excellence and that should be at any and every space,” said Askew, now in his 11th season at the helm. “So, for us swimmers and divers, this makes a difference because 65% of African Americans have limited or no swimming ability. So, what better place than at an HBCU than at Howard to address this issue.”
Askew said prioritizing swimming at HBCUs is about more than athleticism, it’s about saving lives.
“The drowning rates in our community are something that we can do something about. Drowning is preventable, so we are trying to continue to push limits of how we can be out there and allow the world to see us, so they can be encouraged and do great things themselves,” he told The Informer.
Onika Coke-Muñoz attended the event for the second year and has a more than vested interest.
“This was a very powerful event,” said Coke-Muñoz. “You have two Division I swim programs competing against each other and representing the best. I have been at numerous meets over the years, but there is something special about this Battle at the Burr. For my daughter to experience this event is special. I want her to be able to have role models who look like her.”
Coke-Muñoz’s daughter, Ellie Muñoz, 8, has been swimming since the age of two and currently a member of DC Waves, a local swim club in the DMV.
“The event was special to me because as a young swimmer, seeing something like the Battle at the Burr is not something you get to see every day. It was really exciting,” Ellie told The Informer.
The men’s program garnered six top finishes, the first being one of Howard’s strong suits – the 200 Medley Relay. Consisting of Tristan Stevens, Darin Johnson Kris Lawson, and Taj Benton (Baltimore), Howard’s A-Relay came in with a time of 1:31.03 – less than a second ahead of the competition.
In one of the most exciting races of the day, the men finished out strong in the 200 Free Relay. A crowd and program favorite, the Bison narrowly escaped the Hoyas with a time of 1:23.36, just 0:00.11 shy of Georgetown’s A relay squad.
On the women’s side, the program garnered five top finishes, the first thanks to powerhouse Zuzu Nwaeze’s (Columbia, Md.) 1:53.91 swim in the 200 Free.
In the final win of the night, Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson posted another program mark in the 100 Breast. Her swim of 1:06.09 comes in at number six in program record books.
Having Olympians in attendance was also an exciting and meaningful aspect of the night.
“For the sport of [swimming], the Olympics is the biggest stage there is and to make the U.S. Olympic team or to even make the international teams is the big prize,” Askew noted. “Every last person here knows from the moment they started swimming to even where they are now, that’s what we should all be shooting for.”
Such a phenomenal event. Something that all of DC Council should attend or at the very minimum support by telling its constituents. Drowning affects everyone- it has no color- but historically for systemic reasons, it overwhelmingly affects American blacks.
Such an honor and a privilege to have Olympic Champions calling and timing races. We had a lot of the swim world there covering too.
Fantastic article. Thank you